Articles by Tom Vartabedian

Tom Vartabedian is a retired journalist with the Haverhill Gazette, where he spent 40 years as an award-winning writer and photographer. He has volunteered his services for the past 46 years as
a columnist and correspondent with the Armenian Weekly, where his pet project was the publication of a special issue of the AYF Olympics each September.

WORCESTER, MASS.—“Your church. Your nation. Engage!” These words served as a backdrop and motivational tool for delegates attending the Prelacy’s New England Conference on Feb. 21. Close to 50 guests from 8 churches turned out at Holy Trinity Church, representing trustee boards and [more...]

The weather was nasty but that did not prevent Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian from fulfilling his mission to St. Gregory Church in North Andover. It was the 45th anniversary of this small congregation, located in the heart of Merrimack Valley, and he had his favorite companion seated in the passenger [more...]

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.—Athletic teams from coast to coast will converge upon North Andover March 6-8 for the annual Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Senior National Athletic Tournament (NAT). It’s been confirmed that there will be representation from California and from throughout the [more...]

Hack! Hack! Sniffle! Sniffle! Brrr … I’m cold– and I’ve got a cold. So what else is new this winter? It seems like we’re all in the same boat. Which Cold Don’t You Prefer? The topic of conversation these days is not necessarily the weather because that’s pretty stale. Instead, [more...]

WATERTOWN, Mass.—Judith Boyajian Strang-Waldau’s mother was her inspiration. She was the quintessential Armenian mom, wrote poetry, raised two children to become conscious of their heritage and culture, and was always there for support like any dutiful parent. Now, it’s being reciprocated in [more...]

By the time you are reading this, I’ll be off to Florida with a family of 10, greeting Mickey & friends at Disneyworld. Tom and Nancy Vartabedian visit Armenia, where they hope to return some day with their family. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate our 50th than to be chasing after [more...]

“Here’s a song for dear old Granite Lift your voice and sing Here’s a cheer for dear old Granite Shout it, let the echoes ring Victory’s our habit, Let’s win this game.” —Granite City fight song GRANITE CITY, Ill.—It may not be a film depicting the Armenian Genocide, but it’s [more...]

LOWELL, Mass.—In his quest to unveil Armenia’s hidden treasures with his camera and text, Joe Dagdigian is his very own GPS guide. More than once or twice, he has passed the village of Bash Aparan en route to another destination. He’ll often stop and pay tribute to General Dro Kanayan, who is [more...]

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.—“A small church with a big heart and a tremendous spirit.” With those words, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, vicar general of the Eastern Prelacy, presided over the 45th anniversary of St. Gregory Church in North Andover, one of his favorite spots, he’s admitted, on his [more...]

There seems to be a scented candle for everything. You want a stroll in the forest, there’s pine. How about a walk along the shoreline? Try salt air. Or perhaps you’d like to pop into a pastry shop and fill your nostrils with cheesecake or a cinnamon roll. Those tend to be my favorite [more...]